Use of bovine carpal joints as a training model for cruciate ligament repair.

The study discussed in the research article evaluates the potential of animal joints, specifically bovine carpal joints, to be used as a low-cost, effective model to train orthopaedic trainees on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Introduction and methodology

• The research looks into the need for inexpensive and practical training models to assist orthopaedic surgery trainees in learning the fundamentals of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. ACL is a vital ligament in the knee, and its damage often requires surgical reconstruction, which calls for extensive training and practice.
• The researchers sourced animal joints such as equine stifles, bovine stifles and carpal joints, sheep stifles, and porcine stifles from a local abattoir. The objective was to identify which animal joints would be the most suitable for ACL reconstruction training, utilizing criteria such as suitable tendons for harvesting, ease of arthroscopy access, and adequacy of joint surfaces and view.

Results and Findings

• The results indicated that the stifles from horses, cows, sheep, and pigs were not suitable for the purposes of the study. However, the bovine carpal joint, which shares similarities with the human wrist joint but offers deeper flexion like a human knee joint, seemed to be an appropriate option.
• The bovine carpal joint’s distal joint space provided a wider range of flexion and space as compared to the narrower proximal joint space. The joint capsule allowed adequate visualization of various joint structures during saline irrigation.
• The tendons surrounding the joint were similar in size to human hamstring tendons and were easily accessible. Additionally, it was possible to carry out tendon tunnelling in a manner similar to the way it’s done during human ACL repair.

Conclusion

• Based on the study findings, the researchers concluded that bovine carpal joints could serve as cost-effective, safe, and reproducible models for teaching basic ACL repair skills and techniques to orthopaedic trainees before they start working on patients.